Eastern Michigan University ranked among top schools for women in STEM fields

by Debra Johnson, Published October 15, 2013

YPSILANTI – The College Database has recognized Eastern Michigan University as one of the top 50 colleges in the country for advancing women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

In the United States, women hold less than 25 percent of STEM jobs, according to the latest report from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs in STEM fields are expected to grow at 17 percent, compared to 9.8 percent for non-STEM jobs.

"The College of Arts and Sciences faculty at Eastern work diligently to provide experiences that foster the success of women in STEM, such as one-on-one mentored research, course clusters around topics of local and national relevance through our National Science Foundation grant which supports the Creative Scientific Inquiry Experience," said Thomas Venner, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Eastern. "Other opportunities include presenting their research projects at Eastern’s Undergraduate Research Symposium."

The College Database used data provided by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), a government resource that collects academic, financial, and personal information from U.S. colleges and universities about their student bodies. This information includes data on college majors, enrollment status, financial aid awarded, race, ethnicity, gender and more.

The College Database also used the National Science Foundation’s guidelines, which incorporates programs in the social sciences area, such as anthropology or psychology into its STEM measure.

The methodology used in the top 50 ranking required the University to offer at least 50 programs in STEM fields (e.g., physics, psychology, biology) at a bachelor’s level and above, with 50 percent or greater female enrollment in these programs.

"It's key that we succeed in encouraging more women to seek careers in STEM fields than we have in the past," said Wade Tornquist, interim dean in the EMU College of Technology. "We are proud that our programs in the College of Technology and the College of Arts and Sciences are contributing to this process and promoting women in these disciplines."

The College Database is an organization whose goal is to provide prospective students with helpful, accurate information about colleges, universities, community colleges and vocational schools at the local city and state level. To read more on the rankings, please visit 50 Colleges Advancing Women in STEM.